Friday, May 30, 2008

Obituary of Benjamin Garretson

Died, at his residence in Oceola, on the morning of the 27th of November, Benjamin Garretson, in the 72nd year of his age.

He died as the Christian only can die. He exemplified in his death the Saving power of that righteousness of which he had been a preacher for more than forty years.

His Death has widowed his aged companion with whom he had lived in uninterrupted affection for more than half a century. He was the father of Eleven children, only four of whom survive him.

He was a native of Pennsylvania. He was converted to the Christian Religion an[d] joined the M. E. Church in 1820. In 1822 he was licensed by that church to preach, which he did not only by precept, but by example also. Twenty-one years since, being strongly in sympathy with the Mutual Rights Reform in church government, he attached himself to the M. P. Church, in which he lived, and to which he was much attached until the hour of his death, which was another triumph of our holy christianity.

An appropriate funeral discourse was preached at this place by the Rev. A. S. Elliot, – text 2nd Samuel, 14th chapter, and 14th verse – after which his body was removed to the cemetery at Wintersett [sic], and there deposited with the remains of other members of the family, to await the Second coming of Christ.

His family, and a large circle of friends greatly mourn his loss, but they mourn not as those having no hope.

N. W. G.

- Published in The Union Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa, December 19, 1863

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